Dedication Of The New Masonic Hall At Haverfordwest.

Aaron Stone , P . M . 671 ... P . G . S . Deacon . William Bowen , S . W . 671 P . G . J . Deacon . J . Scritchley , P . M . 990 ... P . G . Supt . Works . Jonathan Pell , 1072 P . G . Dir . Cers . Robert Warlow , 378 P . G . Sword Bearer . W . L . Harding , P . M . 464 P . G . Organist . N . Boyle , 378 P . G . Pursuivant .

and Bros . G . D . Roe , 378 ; Webb , 378 ; Reynolds , 3 , 8 ; Gaddam , 990 ; J . H . Thomas , 1177 , Provincial Grand Stewards . The Prov . G . Master then said that as the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge were now in a tolerably flourishing condition he thought

they could well afford to grant a further donation to the excellent Masonic charities , and as a p leasant memento of their meeting at Haverfordwest a small sum to a charitable institution there . He therefere proposed , and Bro . Major Lloyd-Philipps , Dep . P . G . M ., seconded , that a sum of ten guineas each be presented to the Royal

Masonic School for Girls , the Royal Masonic School for Boys , and thc Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , and a sum of five guineas to the Pembrokeshire and Haverfordwest Infirmary , making a total of £ 3 d 15 s . The several grants were then affirmed with acclamation .

The Prov . G . Master then proceeded to address the brethren by congratulating them on the fair progress in Masonry made in tlie Province during the past year , the eig ht lodges comprised therein having met regularly , and admitted several new brethren . He expressed a hope that the various

lodges would be particularly careful to admit only persons of good character and respectable standing in society , so as to keep up the dignity ofthe craft , and cautioned them , on no account , to admit any person residing in a district , either in or out of the province , where there is a lodge , without first communicatinc with the authorities

of that lodge as to the fitness of their candidate . He also thought that those lodges in the province , whose admission fees were less at present than five guineas , would do well to raise them to than sum , as tending to keep many objectionable persons from applying to be admitted . The

Rt . Worshijiful Brother concluded by urging the lodges and brethren to give a cordial and liberal support to those admirable institutions the various Masonic charities , and closed the Provincial Grand Lodge in due form , after solemn prayer had been offered by the Provincil Grand Chaplain .

Abanquet was ' served at sixo clock , attheMariners Hotel , to which IOJ ; of tlie brethren ' satdown and which was presided over by the Rt . Worshipful the Past Grand Master , who , according to his invariable and handsome custom , at his own cost , supplied the whole company with

champagne till the removal of the cloth , after whicii the usual 1 oyal and patriotic toasts were given and duly honoured , and that of tlie worth y and respected chief received a perfect furore of applause . It was proposed by Bro . Major Lloyd-Philipps , Dept . P . G . AI ., who said that Sir

Pryse Piyse ' s ancestors and his own had often stood " shoulder to shoulder " in the battlefield , and he and tlieir worthy chief had more recently been companions in arms , but he felt particularly gratified then to stand " shoulder to shoulder " to him in Masonry , and he trusted that , with their

united efforts , the Province of the Western Division of South Wales would prosper . The toasts of the visitors was responded to b y Bro . E . J . Morris , Dep . P . G . M . for the Eastern Division , and Bro . Capt . Homfray , Dept . P . G . M . Monmouthshire ; and many others , were given ,

including the Prov . Grand Wardens , the Prov . Grand Chaplain , the Lodges of tlie Province , Bro . J . Rule Owen , P . G . Reg . W . M . 4154 , and Bro . Harding , Prov . G . Organist , with thanks for his admirable musical arrangements . The meeting broke up a ; about ten o ' clock .

"A VISIT TO EPPS ' S COCOA AIANUIACTOHV . —Through the kindness of Messrs . Epps , I recently had an opportunity of seeing the many complicated anil varied processes the Cocoa bean passes through ere it is solel for public use , and being both interesteel anel highly pleased with what

I saw during my visit to the manufactory , I thought a brief account of the Cocoa and the way it is manufactureel by Messrs . Epps , to fit it for a wholesome anel nutritious beverage , might be of interest to tlie readers of Laud ami Hater . —Sec Article in Land and Hater , October 14 .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

THE ROYAL ARK MARINER DEGREE . Ipswich , 23 rd June , 1872 . DEAR SIR AND EXCELLENT BROTHER , — ' When you wrote to me to correct my statement that the Royal Ark Mariner Degree was given under the authority of the Mark Grand Lodge , and requested me to take steps to inform the brethren of your authority as Inspector

General of Suffolk , to confer the degree under tlie Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners ( a body , by the way , of whose previous existence as a recognised Masonic jurisdiction I was previously unaware ) I took the only course which seemed open to me , viz : to acknowledge and reply to your communication through the columns of the Freemason .

I cannot conceive how otherwise I could have given publicity—which of course I supposed you desired—to your claims , and those of the G . L . of R . A . M ., as you would scarcely expect me to write to the thousands of readers of the Freemason , ( in which paper the paragraph of my

lecture appeared ) , to inform them that you demurred to my statements . Matters , as you know , have however , transpired , to which I will not further allude , but which are calculated to support 1113- views . As to the R . A . M . Degree , and its head , and I am

glad to find that you are amongst those who are desirous to put it under the only legitimate authority—the Mark Grand Lodge . As to the degree itself , I can only say , that I have before me now a letter , received since my last communication to you , from a learned

brother , a member of the high degrees , and an author , who says : — " I took the opportunity of being in to take the Ark Mariner ' s Degree , ( of courseunder the proper jurisdiction ;) the ceremony as now worked is poor and worthless . When the Ark is restored to its proper position

as a side degree , and an appendant ot the Mark , and its usurped titles given tip ; and when the rainbows coloured collars are thought less of , and the working of an improved ritual more ; then the Royal Ark Mariner ' s degree may take its place as one worthy of support and encouragement—and not till then . I feel sure you will

agree with me , that this correspondence had better now be closed . With every assurance of esteem and respect for yourself , Believe me , fraternally yours , EMRA HOLMES , 31 , W . M . Albert Victor Lodge of Mark Master . Bro . C . V . Childe , 18 .

APEX . ( To the Editor of Tlie Freemason . ) SIR , — The description which appeared , some time last year , of the jewels of this unique Order , were those of the " Sponsors , '" and not of

"Apex , the Supreme . " It may be sufficient to say , that / have seen the true jewel of " Apex , " which is totally unlike any other Masonic jewel , or indeed any decoration whatever , save one of Chivalry , of a a very early date .

The jewel in question is , and I say so advisedly , of mart'c / lous untiquilt / , and bears intrinsic evidence of the fact ; and I hope shortly to be in a position to communicate an English version ofthe difficult inscription on it . The jewel can be heard as well as scsn . Yours , SP-JCS-R , II .

ISRAELITISM AND FREEMASONRY . Birch House , Heaton Mersey , Near Manchester , June 18 th , 1872 . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AKD BROTHER , — You will doubtless be glad to learn that the articles b y Bros . Carpenter , and W . E . N ., which have appeared in your journal , on " Freemasonry

and Israelitism , " have been read with no ordinary interest by friends of mine ( non-Masons . ) One of those friends has for some time expressed a wish to see those articles published in a separate form , and desires me to procure for him the volume , recently published , by Bro . Carpenter . I may further state that in the event

Correspondence.

ofthe articles b y W . E . N . being also published in a separate volume , he requests me to obtain it for him , immediately upon its appearance . My friend is strongly of opinion that these productions ought not only to be in the library of every Mason , but also in the library of every intelligent

person . If you see no objection , you are at liberty to give publicity to this communication in the Freemason at your convenience , Yours fraternally , J . . COLLINGE , Egerton , 10 30 , East Lancashire .

A Pleasant Day With The Freemasons.

A PLEASANT DAY WITH THE FREEMASONS .

( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) Sir , —Whatever foreigners may say as to thc distant nature of the English people , nothing can equal the cordiality and frankness of our friends , the Freemasons . Whatever secret they may possess amongst the brotherhood , the } - have

certainly found out one of the best secrets—that of brotherly kindness towards all persons who may have the good fortune to come amongst them . I am indebted to a friend , who procured me a ticket , to join the summer excursion of the

Constitutional Lodge , No . 55 , on board the "Maria Wood , " on the 20 th inst . About 12 o ' clock , after a salute of guns , the barge moved slowl y up the river , which-is surrounded on both sides with the most charminjr

scenery . A splendid military band was provided , which soon commenced playing , and an elegant ball was opened on the deck of the barge . As to the ladies , who play so conspicuous a part in that kind of pleasure , they were as refined , beautiful ,

and natural as onl y English ladies can be . At three o ' clock a sumptuous dinner was provided , with all the delicacies of the season . It was very interesting to me to hear tlie Worshipful Master touch upon the seerets of Masonry , but I attribute it to my imperfect

knowledge of the Craft , thnt I went away no wiser in that respect . After dinner , the dancing was continued , and was kept up with great spirit until we returned to Kew Bridge , in the evening . This pleasant dav

will always be remembered with delight and gratitude by Yours very truly , Ax ICELANDER .

Presentation Of A Testimonial To The Rev. Bro. C. H. Drinkwater.

PRESENTATION OF A TESTIMONIAL TO THE REV . BRO . C . H . DRINKWATER .

On Friday , the 4 th inst ., the parishioners ofthe two parishes of St Stephen , and St . Martin , Exeter , presented a testimonial to our Rev . brother , on the occasion of his resigning the

curacy of the above , consequent on his appointment to the Vicarage of St . George , Frankwell , Shrewsbury . The testimonial consisted of two purses of gold ; one value Lf , 3 , from St . Stephen ' s , the other value ; £ i 8 . from St . Martin ' s .

after whcih the brethren of the " Semper Fidelis Lodge 1254 , presented him with a handsome gold Chaplain ' s jewel as a token of regard for tlrj manner in whicii he had performed his duties as Chaplain of the lodge . The Revd . gentleman

said , there were times when language , powerful as it was to convey ideas , was foiinei utterly insufficient to make known toothers the feeling ;; which existed within their hearts ; and the present was one of those times . He thanked them

from the bottom of his heart , the members ofthe lodge , as well as those friends who had subscribed towards the handsome testimonial that had been presented to him , and concluded by expressing his earnest wishes for their future prosperity .

\ V . ELMS WALL , Esep , of . Salcombe Hill I leius :-, IITII .-S , March 31 . 1871 : — "I have used your Pain Killer fur rheumatic gout inwardly , anel on nearly every joint in my body . In about half-an-hour after 1 hail usee ! it I was perfectly free from pain . Taken internally , 1 have found it

cure headache , griping pains in the stomach , and many other similar disorelers . My only object in writing this is to express my gratitude , anel with the hope that it may be for the good of the public . —To Verry Davis fc Sein , Lond . m . VV . C , Proprietors . "